With the arrival of Jose Luis “Güero” Real, one of Mexico’s most revered and respected soccer minds, as Chivas USA’s new Head Coach, perhaps no other player on the current roster knows the new strategist better than defender Mario de Luna. The first-year Rojiblanco met Real as a youngster when he was part of Chivas Guadalajara’s renowned youth academy and Real was serving as its Director.

Years later, as De Luna, now 25, continued to develop in the system, he eventually earned a place with Guadalajara’s First Team, making his debut with the Rebaño Sagrado in 2008 and competing in the prestigious Copa Libertadores as well as other recognized tournaments around the world. Now, in his first season with the Red-and-White, De Luna knows that “El Guero” Real has both the knowledge and track record to bring Chivas USA success.

“He’s a coach who teaches you a lot and helps you,” said De Luna. “We hope that we can replicate the same success we had in Guadalajara here with Chivas USA. The team is in very good hands. He wasn’t hired just because of who he is or because he works with Guadalajara, but because of what he has achieved and what he knows and how he inspires his players to get the best out of them.”

And Real has without question achieved several feats throughout his career. Aside from a professional resume as a player that spans over a decade with both Guadalajara and Club Atlas to go along with several call-ups to Mexico’s National Team, Real has led countless Mexican Youth National Teams as Technical Director. The Guadalajara native also served as head coach for both Guadalajara and Atlas. And it was a Real-led Chivas team that reached the Copa Libertadores final with a young and up-coming De Luna on their roster, which is an achievement the Chivas Guadalajara product says he will never forget.

“I was fortunate to be with [Real] and the team that reached the finals and play in it. Unfortunately, we didn’t win the championship, but it’s something that is etched in Chivas’ history. It was a dream come true that you will never forget and that will be alive in every one of us that were a part of it.”

For now, the primary goal is to prepare under the Rebaño Angelino’s new shepherd, who has clear idea of what he and his staff want to implement ahead of his MLS debut, as the Rojiblancos prepare to jump back into League action next Wednesday against Western Conference rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC on the road.